A Double-Double Showcase and Ayman Suliman’s Historic Scoring Burst
If you were looking for a masterclass in interior presence and grit, Sunday at Open Gym Premier was the place to be. It was, without a doubt, the week of the double-double, with five different players putting in the kind of work that makes stat-keepers smile. Levant led the way with a ferocious display in the paint, as Ali Ankir posted a 15-point, 12-rebound outing while his teammate Sigli Amadu mirrored that effort with 14 points and 12 boards. Not to be outdone, the Bucket Cartel’s frontcourt tandem of Yasseen Elmeligui and Yousif Zanana dominated their matchup, combining for 33 points and 21 rebounds between them. Even in a tough loss for My Condolences, Yanal Zakarni showed incredible heart to secure his own 13-point, 10-rebound double-double. Seeing these big men control the glass and facilitate the offense created a fascinating tactical rhythm across the slate. It wasn't just about the numbers, though; it was about the sheer consistency of these players as they anchored their squads throughout the afternoon.
PTSD 58, Legal Lions 53
In a game that stayed tight until the final buzzer, PTSD managed to scrape out a five-point victory over the Legal Lions. Jad Shehadeh was the engine for the winners, shooting an efficient 8-of-10 from the field to pace the team with 20 points. Humza Shariff was equally vital, flirting with a triple-double by adding 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. On the other side, Jacob Guzman put forth a valiant effort for the Legal Lions, matching Shehadeh’s 8-of-10 shooting performance for 16 points. Haroon Khaliqi tried to keep them in it with four big three-pointers, but the Lions just couldn't overcome the balanced attack from their opponents.
Levant 66, Gaza City 37
Levant flexed their muscles in a dominant 29-point victory, largely thanks to their overwhelming rebounding edge. Ali Ankir and Sigli Amadu controlled the interior all afternoon, both recording double-doubles that stifled any momentum Gaza City tried to generate. Rami Awad provided the perimeter punch, leading the team with 19 points on an impressive 7-of-15 shooting night. Feras Abbas played a gritty game for Gaza City, fighting through the traffic to secure 10 rebounds and 9 points. Despite a solid effort from Alexis Moore, who chipped in 11 points, the sheer size and activity of Levant’s frontline proved to be too much to handle.
Bucket Cartel 68, Akhwan 52
The Bucket Cartel kept their season rolling with a convincing 16-point win fueled by a spectacular team performance. Yasseen Elmeligui was nearly unstoppable, posting a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double without committing a single turnover. Yousif Zanana rounded out the big-man dominance with his own 14-point, 10-rebound contribution, while Raaidh Afaz provided the necessary spacing by knocking down four shots from deep. Akhwan’s Yasser Harmoush kept his team within striking distance by hitting four triples of his own for 17 points, and Aamir Ansari added 14 points in the effort. Ultimately, the Cartel’s ability to protect the ball and crash the boards proved to be the difference-maker.
Most Hated 96, My Condolences 59
Most Hated turned Sunday’s matchup into a high-octane offensive showcase, putting up 96 points in a clinical dismantling of My Condolences. Arman Nazarzai was scorching from the perimeter, hitting six three-pointers en route to a 24-point performance, while Musab Elashegh dominated the paint with 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting. My Condolences didn't fold easily, with Yahya Azar scoring 17 points and Yanal Zakarni working hard for his 13 points and 10 rebounds. Ennes Kahf also contributed 17 points for the losing side, but they simply had no answer for the efficiency of the Most Hated attack, which saw multiple players contribute at least 17 points in the rout.
Poole Party 70, Al Aqsanauts 58
The highlight of the weekend was undoubtedly the scoring display from Ayman Suliman, who put on a shooting clinic for Poole Party. Suliman was nearly perfect, racking up 37 points on a staggering 15-of-17 from the field. Faris Bustami provided the dirty work for Poole Party, grabbing 12 rebounds to keep the offense clicking. The Al Aqsanauts kept things interesting behind Sabri Elfarra’s 20-point performance and Amer Bishara’s 17 points, but they couldn't slow down the offensive rhythm of the winners. It was a classic example of one player catching fire and simply never cooling down.
Washed Kings 61, The Last Dance 57
In the tightest contest of the day, the Washed Kings edged out The Last Dance in a four-point thriller that wasn't decided until the final minute. Aaman Soma led the Kings with a well-rounded 13 points and 9 rebounds, showing great composure under pressure. Waqas Anis was the sharp-shooter, hitting four crucial three-pointers to help seal the win. Zaid Dadabhoy gave The Last Dance every chance to win, leading all scorers with 19 points, while Raja Rabat added a solid 16. The Kings' ability to hit key shots down the stretch ultimately proved to be the difference in this back-and-forth affair.
Honors and Look-Ahead This week was defined by the glass-cleaning efforts of Ali Ankir, Sigli Amadu, and Yasseen Elmeligui, but the star of the show was undoubtedly Ayman Suliman, who earns Player of the Week honors for his clinical 37-point, 15-of-17 shooting masterpiece. He led the week in points and Game Score, proving why he is one of the most dangerous threats in the division.
As we look toward the next slate of action, all eyes will be on the clash between the 4–1 Bucket Cartel and the 5–0 Most Hated. With the top of the standings tightening up, this matchup will serve as a definitive litmus test for both teams. Keep an eye on the boards, as the winner of that interior battle will likely walk away with the win.